Talk about Fiji’s many victories at the So Kon Po Stadium and you can’t stop thinking about the 1998 victory against Samoa.
In 1997 at the same venue Fiji had stunned Africa to win the Melrose Cup, ending the hopes of a spirited nation to become the first team to win both RWCs.
Led by the late Rupeni Ravonu, Fiji had the services of Meli Tamanitoakula, Serevi, Tuikabe, Vunibaka, Seta Tawake, Inoke Maraiwai, Saimoni Rokini, Inoke Turuva and Luke Eranavula, while Australian-based Senirusi Rauqe and New Zealand-based Aisea Tuilevu joined the team in the eliminations as cover up to injures.
In Fiji, hopes were high as fans bade farewell to a team that had forwards who had the height and strength and backs who mesmerised the world with their skills and speed.
Chinese Taipei was up first and were taught a rugby lesson with a 61-0 drubbing.
PNG were next and Fiji managed a clean sheet winning 36-0. In our final pool match, Argentina came from behind to score two tries and tie the game 21-all.
Despite the draw, Fiji headed as pool winner and was up against an Australia side led by David Campese, which also had Fijian Rauqe. Fiji won 21-7. In the semi-final, we were up against traditional rivals NZ.
Despite fielding a star-studded outfit led by Rush and Seymour, Fiji strode to a 24-7 victory.
Samoa was our opponent in the final. The Samania brothers (Toa and Ailoa), Orene Aii, Silitoto, Vaisuai, Tokafao and Filipo featured for the men in blue.
Fiji started strongly with a try to Vunibaka before Samoa replied with a try to Toa. Tuikabe dotted just before half-time while Maraiwai pinned our third try. Just when we thought we had the game in the bag, Ailoa Samania bagged two tries. Fiji held on to a two point lead 21-19. Rauqe had the last laugh as he crashed his way to the try line giving Fiji a 28-19 victory.
Serevi walked away with the Leslie Williams Award for the Best and Fairest Player. As our boys knelt for the thanksgiving, Serevi and “Phil 4:13” became the talk among many rugby fans.
